We will pamper you in our Spa and you will enjoy 5 days of tranquillity and recreation in the Es...

Palma de Mallorca

23°C

Low: 20° High: 30°

The history of the island

The island of Mallorca, since the evidence of the first established settlements in 4000BC, has suffered a turbulent history. The first millennium BC saw it used as a staging post by the Phoenicians as they dominated Mediterranean trade, until they were displaced by the Greeks in 800BC. Then followed a period of Roman rule, when the two islands of Mallorca and Menorca were named Balearis Major and Balearis Minor respectively, until they were overthrown by the Vandals, who in turn were eventually pushed out by the Byzantines. The arrival of the Moors after the Byzantines brought mixed blessings for Mallorca as it did across the Iberian peninsular: improved agricultural techniques and intricate architecture were balanced with horrifying cruelty displayed towards the locals and forced conversions to Islam.

Unfortunately the Reconquista in the mid-thirteenth century, intent on wiping out the Moors’ influence, destroyed all remaining Arab influence in architecture, with the slight recompense that this period saw the construction of the stunning Palma Cathedral, notably built on the remains of a mosque. Throughout the ensuing period of naval struggle in the Mediterranean, as Mallorca lacked a harbour of any real significance they were left to their own devices. In 1716 Mallorca was named as part of the Spanish province of Baleares, which gave root to the autonomous community which is found there today. Palma was named capital of the Balearic Islands in 1983, as a testament to its growing importance. Palma began to flourish once more, following the neglect and impoverishment of the nineteenth century, in the early twentieth century, when a rise in agriculture began to bring money back to the island.

Following this, the economy flourished with the advent of mass tourism following World War Two, and this coupled with the fact that as the power of the autonomous regions grew they were able to control government expenditure more and more, meant that Palma was able to preserve its ancient districts whilst developing into the thriving modern day port that we know today. The local language spoken is Mallorquin, widely considered to be a variation of Catalan, although due to the steep rise in tourism many residents of Mallorca have some knowledge of English or German.